George Philip (FFG 12) - Naval Cruise Book

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COALMANDER GEORGE PHILIP. JR. UNITED STATES NAVY SHIP ' S NAMESAKE USS GEORGE PHILIP (FFG-12). an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Guided Missile Frigate is named in honor of Commander George Philip. Jr.. USN (1912-1945). Commander Philip, born in Fort Pierre. South Dakota. April 14.1912. attended South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City before his appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He was appointed to and accepted the com- mission of Ensign on June 6. 1935. Ensign Philip continued to progress in grade until his promotion to Commander on September 4. 1944. He served in a variety of commands including: USS MISSISSIPPI (1935-37). USS CALIFORNIA (1937-38). USS ELLET (1938-42). USS 0 BANNON (1942-43). Operational Training Command. Pacific Fleet. San Diego. California (1943-44). and the USS TWIGGS (1944-45). Commander Philip was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinan, ' heroism while serving as the Commanding Officer of USS TWIGGS (DD-591 ). During its 84 consecutive days of combat off of Okinawa, he perished with USS TWIGGS following a dusk attack by a Japanese Kamikaze suicide aircraft on June 16. 1945. On March 12.1946. Secretary of the Navy. James Forestal. posthumously presented the Navy Cross to his widow. Mrs. Margaret Taussig Philip. The citation read in part: His courage, fortitude and initiati e in the performance of a difficult and hazardous duty characterized Commander Philip as a brilliant leader and seaman, reflecting the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country. Commander Philip had earlier established a skilled fighting reputation while simultaneously serving as the Executive Office. Navigator and Combat Intelligence Officer of the famed destroyer USS O ' BANNON (DD-450). For his conspicuous gallantry during the crucial stages of the Solomon Island Campaign, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal and USS O ' BANNON received the Presidential Unit Citation. In addition to the Navy Cross, Silver Star Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation. Commander Philip was entitled to wear the American Defense Service Medal. Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Ribbon and the Purple Heart. 64